Rishi Khanna
About Rishi Khanna
Rishi Khanna is a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO with extensive experience in digital product development and innovation acceleration. He is the founder of MADIRA Spirits and has been involved in various ventures, including IT outsourcing and sustainable agave spirits production.
Current Role at ISHIR
Rishi Khanna serves as the CEO of ISHIR, a position he has held since 1999. Under his leadership, ISHIR has focused on innovation acceleration, digital product development, software rescue, modernization, and artificial intelligence. Khanna has developed the proprietary 'Innovation Accelerator' process, which has facilitated over 150 successful digital product launches. His extensive experience includes building over 1000 software products, showcasing his expertise in the technology sector.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and MADIRA Spirits
In addition to his role at ISHIR, Rishi Khanna is the founder of MADIRA Spirits, a luxury agave spirits company established in 2022. The company specializes in artisanal organic mezcal, small-batch tequila, and sotol gin. MADIRA Spirits emphasizes sustainability by planting five new agave plants for every one harvested and utilizing solar energy in its production processes. Khanna's commitment to sustainable practices extends to the sourcing of agaves from both highland and lowland regions.
Professional Memberships and Contributions
Rishi Khanna is an active member of several professional organizations. He has been a member of InfraGard's North Texas Chapter since 2021 and is involved with SIMDFW since 2011. Additionally, he is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council since 2020. Khanna also contributes to the entrepreneurial community by mentoring startups at a Google-backed program organized by the Dallas Entrepreneur Center.
Educational Background and Training
Rishi Khanna has an extensive educational background in business and entrepreneurship. He studied at multiple prestigious institutions, including Harvard Business School, Babson College, and The Wharton School. His academic achievements include completing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the Entrepreneur Management Program at MIT Sloan School of Management. Khanna holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Experience and Career Path
Rishi Khanna has a diverse career path that spans over two decades. Before founding ISHIR, he worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche in Texas. His professional journey includes significant roles in various companies, focusing on digital marketing, IT outsourcing, and remote team building. Khanna has successfully implemented strategic outsourcing programs across multiple functions, including artificial intelligence and digital marketing.